FUTURE: Basic Literacy Meets Life Skills

Keith Pruitt, Ed.S.Words of Wisdom Educational Consulting

Sponsored by Pearson Longman

To preserve its economic competitiveness and ensure good lives for its citizens, the United States needs to focus on an urgent new mission: reorienting institutions of government, business and higher education around the task ofproviding education and training to a new kind of student —the adult worker.

ETS Policy Notes, Spring 2010, 18 (2)

Why is this a concern?

“Skills and knowledge are the plant and equipmentof today’s global economy. A deficit of these formsof intellectual capital puts an individual, a family, acommunity and, ultimately, the national economyat risk.” — Michael Nettles

50% "performed below the level considered necessary to fully participate in such a complex society." And what's worse is the projection that by 2030, adults will... be performing at a level 5% below today's level.

ETS Research

Future: Basic Literacy Meets Life SkillsPearson Longman presents a new program that will change that dynamic and allow adult ELL learners to access literacy skills that impact Life Skills

What are the key factors in Literacy?

Let’s Take A Trip ToOrb

A Trip to the Planet

OrbRules of Orb

•In order to work in Orb, you must speak Orbian•In order to work in Orb, you must be able to read

Orbian•In order to work in Orb,

you must be able to write in Orbian

You must now take your

Orbian Entrance

Examination to determine if

you may remain and work in

Orb.

With a conversation partner, you

must translate the following message from

Orbian to English.

Jose would like to

become a doctor.

Jose would like to

become a doctor.

•Cueing Systems You Can Use- Each line is one word

Jose would like to

become a doctor.

•Cueing Systems You Can Use- Each line is one word

•Repetitive symbols

Jose would like to

become a doctor.

•Cueing Systems You Can Use- What if I began to add visual literacy elements?

Jose would like to

become a doctor.

•Cueing Systems You Can Use- What if I began to add visual literacy elements?

•Legend?

= O = L = De = E

Josewouldliketo

becomea

doctor.

YOU GET TO STAY ON ORB

• Prepares students with 21st century skills• Provides multiple pathways to learning meeting the needs of different learning styles• Features multi-level instruction to meet the needs of every level of student• Program has professional development to assist in training of instructors

Features…

• Begins with an auditory experience where all language begins (Krashen)• Builds vocabulary through schema building or visual literacy (Piaget, Marzano, Pruitt, Cummins)• Scaffolds promote using newly acquired language in speaking immediately helping to build automaticity (Shanahan, Rasinski)• High interest, useful readings promote student engagement (Booth)• Connection of writing to reading promotes complete literacy transference (Calkins, Routman)• Embed problem solving tasks to promote critical thinking (Bloom)• Progress checks allow students to reflect on learning of competencies (Chamot)

Frameworks…

12 Units per level

Develop vocabulary, listening, speaking,

grammar, life skills, reading,

writing, numeracy and persistence

Correlated to CASAS, LAUSD

Beginning Competencies, and

Florida Adult Standards

FUTURE

ENGLISH FOR RESULTS

Instructional Pathway

A Preview question engages students and sets the context for the

unit

A list of goals summarizes the competencies

presented in the unit.

Each unit begins with full-page photo to introduce theme

and vocabulary

Theme-setting vocabulary is presented in picture

dictionary format.

Students engage in oral and written activities after engaging in an interactive listening activity.

Activitie

s

Vocabulary learning strategies give

students the tools to continue learning outside of class

Show what you know activities promote student usage of

vocabulary in conversations and serve

as an assessment tool for the teacher.

Introduction of new

language and culture

Prediction

Critical Thinking

Tasked-based exercise

Model Conversation

Language patterns

Practice

The Life Skills lesson focuses on functional language,

practical skills, and authentic printed materials.

Each unit presents three grammar points in a logical, systematic grammar syllabus

Grammar notes have minimal metalanguage. Grammar Watch call attention to specific aspects of grammar.

High interest articles introduce students to cultural concepts

and topical information.

Pre-teach vocabulary and activate background knowledge

Article Recycles Language

Comprehension Questions check for understanding

Future provides what students need

coupling literacy

instruction with life skills for transition to college or

work

Thank You

Words of Wisdom Educational Consulting

www.woweducationalconsulting.com

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